Neil Wallace Anderson faces court over alleged Centro Cannonvale compound bow incident

The man charged over allegedly threatening Whitsunday shopping centre staff while wielding a compound bow was known to authorities, with several outstanding charges to his name.

Neil Wallace Anderson appeared at Proserpine Magistrates Court on Monday on charges including armed robbery. Picture: File

A woman walked out of Proserpine Magistrates Court crying after police officers denied her the chance to kiss goodbye an accused armed robber ordered to spend the next eight weeks in custody.

The woman, who was in the company of two young children, reached out to Neil Wallace Anderson as officers led him out of the courtroom on Monday, managing to grab hold of the alleged offender’s hand while making the unsuccessful plea, “Can I just give him a kiss?”

Anderson, 34, is facing one charge of armed robbery resulting from an alleged incident involving a compound bow at Cannonvale at the weekend, plus a driving while disqualified (repeat offender) charge dating back to June 18, an obstruct police charge from July 1, and a failure to appear charge for missing a scheduled court appearance on July 26.

Anderson made no application for bail and was remanded to return to court on September 27.

Police previously stated a 25-year-old woman was also arrested in connection with Sunday’s incident, in which Anderson allegedly aimed a compound bow into the busy Centro shopping centre after the woman he was with was caught allegedly stealing perfume.

The woman was charged with armed robbery and driving without a licence.

The accused woman will face court on August 16.